ST. PAUL, Minn.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Healthcare facilities can obtain faster sterility assurance results for
surgical instruments following the Food & Drug Administration’s 510(k)
clearance of the 3M™
Attest™ Rapid Readout Biological Indicator (BI) System for vaporized
hydrogen peroxide sterilization (VH202). BI results for VH202
sterilization cycles with the 3M™ Attest™ system can now be read in just
24 minutes—the fastest readout compared to any other FDA cleared product
on the market—making the practice of every load monitoring increasingly
feasible.

“We’ve seen overwhelming market excitement about this system since we
announced 510(k) submission in May”

“We’ve seen overwhelming market excitement about this system since we
announced 510(k) submission in May,” said Ericka Lutz, 3M Global
Marketing Manager for Sterilization. “The common reaction we’re hearing
is, ‘If our hospital is able to improve efficiencies and enhance patient
safety, it’s a clear win-win decision.’”

The 24-minute time to result is 10 times faster than 3M’s previous
market-leading time of four hours, achieved with the 2016 release of the
3M™ Attest™ Rapid BI System for VH202. 3M scientists were able to
increase system capabilities to achieve a faster readout time following
the initial launch. Programming developments to the Attest™ Auto-reader
490H make it possible for existing users of the four-hour system to
upgrade to the 24-minute version. Customers will not be charged for this
upgrade. Prior to 3M’s development of four-hour BI test results, VH202
BI readouts typically took 24 hours.

The 3M Attest Brand AdvantageWith the 24-minute BI for
VH202, 3M offers a comprehensive rapid BI portfolio across the three
sterilization modalities commonly used in healthcare facilities
worldwide—VH202, steam and ethylene oxide. Complete and connected
sterilization solutions allow department managers to bring consistency
to sterilization practices and create a standard release policy.
Consistency can also help simplify training, reduce workflow errors, and
increase compliance with protocols—all of which contribute to increased
patient safety.

About 3MAt 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to
improve lives daily. With $32 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees
connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s
creative solutions to the world’s problems at http://www.3m.com/
or on Twitter @3M or @3MNewsroom.